Digital computer and system for recording information on operations

ABSTRACT

A main controller stores levels and information to be stored in accordance with the levels. An operation screen is used to enter operation information for operating a complex machine  1.  A scanner engine and a plotter engine execute operations based on the operation information. A memory records only information on operations in a level corresponding to the entered level information among the operations performed by the complex machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1) Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a computer (“digital computer”)and a system for recording information on operations.

[0003] 2) Description of the Related Art

[0004] Conventionally, a digital computer is often employed in complexmachines that have multiple applications. The digital computer collectsinformation on a log (log information) from the complex machine tomanage users. Such digital computer is known to store the collected loginformation into a memory in the main part of the digital computer and,if required, reads it out.

[0005] A conventional image formation apparatus and method ofcontrolling the same is disclosed in, for example, Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 11-341212. What is disclosed is a technologythat allows acceptance of multiple jobs. History of executed jobs isdisplayed and final historical information is read out upon reception ofan enquiry through a network.

[0006] In the above-described technology, the collected log informationis directly stored into a memory housed inside a main body of thedevise. Therefore, if all operations performed by the user are loggedtogether with the employed draft information, then the amount ofrequired memory becomes massive and increases the total cost. Ifrecording of log information is restricted uniformly to reduce theinformation to be stored, even the log information to be recorded maynot be recorded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of this invention to provide a digital computerand system for recording information on operations with which it ispossible to efficiently log with reliable storing of required loginformation without influence on various operations, such as storing,imparted from an excessive massive amount of data.

[0008] The digital computer according to one aspect of the presentinvention comprises an operation execution unit which operates inaccordance with instruction information for instructing operations, anda historical information recording unit which extracts operations to berecorded from operations executed by the operation execution unit on thebasis of log levels stepwise indicative of contents in the operationsexecuted by the operation execution unit and records historicalinformation on the extracted operations.

[0009] The system for recording information on operations according toanother aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of digitalcomputers and at least one manager. The digital computer includes anoperation execution unit which operates in accordance with instructioninformation for instructing operations, a log level storage unit whichstores log levels of operations executed by the operation execution unitand log items corresponding to the log levels, and a historicalinformation recording unit which extracts operations to be recorded fromoperations executed by the operation execution unit on the basis of thelog items corresponding to the log levels among historical informationon operations executed by the operation execution unit and recordshistorical information on the extracted operations. The managerincluding a receiving unit which receives information transmitted fromthe multiple digital computers, and a recording unit which records thereceived information.

[0010] These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention are specifically set forth in or will become apparent from thefollowing detailed descriptions of the invention when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1A shown a perspective view of an arrangement of a systemusing a complex machine that contains a digital computer according to afirst embodiment of the present invention,

[0012]FIG. 1B shows a detail construction of an operation screen of thecomplex machine shown in FIG. 1A,

[0013]FIG. 2 is a block diagram which explains the digital computer ofthe first embodiment,

[0014]FIG. 3 is a flowchart which shows brief operations in thearrangements shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,

[0015]FIG. 4A through FIG. 4F show menu screens displayed on anoperation touch panel shown in FIG. 1,

[0016]FIG. 5 shows an example of descriptions in control information ofthe first embodiment, including an initial part by XML, an initialscreen in screen information and a password entry screen,

[0017]FIG. 6 shows a part of descriptions in control information of thefirst embodiment, including an initial screen in page information, apassword entry screen and a user 1-1 screen,

[0018]FIG. 7 shows a part of descriptions in control information of thefirst embodiment, including an initial screen in user information, apassword entry screen and the user 1-1,

[0019]FIG. 8 shows a part of descriptions in control information of thefirst embodiment for setting a key code of a frame for indicating anapplication and the corresponding action (log level) in combination,

[0020]FIG. 9 shows a part of descriptions in control information of thefirst embodiment for setting a key code of a frame for indicating anoperational mode in an operation screen on the complex machine and thecorresponding action (log level) in combination,

[0021]FIG. 10 is a flowchart which briefly shows procedures in a menudisplay process and logging,

[0022]FIG. 11 is a flowchart which shows operations in a menu displayprocess and logging process (a first third part),

[0023]FIG. 12 is a flowchart which shows operations in a menu displayprocess and logging process (the middle third part),

[0024]FIG. 13 is a flowchart which shows operations in a menu displayprocess and logging process (the last third part),

[0025]FIG. 14 is a flowchart which explains the process performed by PCwhen the digital computer of the first embodiment acquires userinformation from the PC over a network,

[0026]FIG. 15 shows a system for recording information on operationsaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention, and

[0027]FIG. 16 is a flowchart which shows a sequence of processes in thesystem for recording information on operations according to the secondembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

[0028] The digital computer and system for recording information onoperations according to the present invention will be described indetail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029]FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of the complex machine of a firstembodiment. The complex machine system according to the presentinvention comprises a complex machine 1 and a personal computer (PC) 2,which are individually connected to the Internet I.

[0030] Each section shown in FIG. 1A will be described in detail below.The complex machine 1 is a digital complex machine that includes one ormore of, a draft tray 1 b for setting a draft thereon, a scanner 1 cwhich scans the set draft to acquire image data, a communication section(shown in FIG. 2) which accepts image data from external devices,transmits the image data acquired at the scanner 1 c and receives otherimage data, and a printer id which prints the image data. The complexmachine 1 operates as a copier using the scanner 1 c and the printer 1 din combination. It also operates as a printer using the communicationsection and the printer 1 d in combination. It further operates as afacsimile using the printer 1 d, the communication section, and thescanner 1 c.

[0031] The complex machine 1 contains specific applications forrealizing multiple functions such as copy, print, fax and scanner,respectively. The complex machine 1 includes a scanner engine 104 whichdrives a scanner and a plotter engine 105 which prints the image. Thescanner engine 104 and plotter engine 105 have well-known configurationsprovided in common image formation apparatus and accordingly theirfurther explanation will be omitted.

[0032] The complex machine 1 is equipped with an operation screen 1 afor instructing an operation from the user to the complex machine 1.Executions of copying, printing and faxing can be instructed to thecomplex machine 1 via the operation screen 1 a.

[0033]FIG. 1B shows an example of the operation screen 1 a. As shown inFIG. 1B, the operation screen 1 a has an operation touch panel 1 aa andvarious operation buttons and dials. The operation touch panel 1 aadisplays an operation menu, which can be manipulated when the usertouches the operation touch panel 1 aa. Other operation buttons anddials than the operation touch panel 1 aa in the operation screen 1 amay be omitted depending on applications provided in the complex machine1.

[0034] PC 2 is employed to create data (hereinafter referred to as“control information”) per user required for menu display processing andlogging. In the first embodiment, XML is employed in a format of thecontrol information.

[0035]FIG. 2 is a block diagram which shows the major part of thecomplex machine 1 and PC 2 of the first embodiment. The complex machine1 includes the operation screen 1 a, a main controller 101, a memory 102and a communication section 103. The operation screen 1 a, maincontroller 101, the memory 102 and the communication section 103 areconnected to an internal bus 110 to configure a digital computer 100 ofthe first embodiment.

[0036] In the above configuration, the main controller 101 serves as acorrespondence storage unit which stores multiple levels and informationto be stored corresponding to each level. The operation screen 1 aserves as an input unit which enters level information indicating atleast the level and operation information for instructing operations tobe performed by the complex machine 1. The scanner 1 c, the printer 1 d,the scanner engine 104 and the plotter engine 105 serve as an operationexecution unit which executes operations based on the operationinformation. The memory 102 severs as an operation recording unit whichrecords only information on operations corresponding to the enteredlevel information among the executed operations. As the level of thefirst embodiment is employed to determine the operation information tobe recorded on the basis of the level information, hereinafter it isreferred to as a log level. The operation information to be recordedcorresponding to the log level is named as log information.

[0037] The main controller 101 includes a CPU and a ROM, not shown, andcontrols the whole operation of the complex machine 1. The maincontroller 101 operates on the basis of programs stored in a storageapparatus. It collects operation information (log information) onoperations performed by the apparatus and records it in the memory 102.

[0038] The memory 102 includes a RAM (not shown) that is employed as awork area for the main controller 101 or to save (store) the recordedlog information. This RAM is also employed to store an OS (operatingsystem) required for operations of the complex machine 1 and controlinformation created by the PC 2. The communication section 103 isconnected to the Internet to communicate with the PC 2.

[0039] The PC 2 includes a main controller 201, a HDD 202, acommunication section 203, a keyboard 204 and a mouse 205. Each of theabove configurations is connected to an internal bus 210. The maincontroller 201 contains a CPU, not shown, which controls the wholeoperation of the PC 2. The HDD 202 is employed to store the OS requiredfor operations of the PC 2 and log information transmitted by thecomplex machine 1.

[0040] The communication section 203 is connected to the Internet tocommunicate with the complex machine 1. The keyboard 204 and the mouse205 serve as input units which enter instructions to PC 2 from the user.

[0041] The above-described digital computer 100 and PC. 2 operate asshown in FIG. 3. PC 2 creates data (control information) per userrequired for menu display processing and logging (step S1). PC 2downloads the created control information to the complex machine 1 (stepS2). The control information is employed to create menu screensdisplayed on the operation touch panel 1 aa of the operation screen 1 a.A process for displaying a menu screen on the operation touch panel 1 aa(menu display processing) is executed by using the control informationwhen each user employs the complex machine 1 (step S3).

[0042]FIGS. 4A through 4F show menu screens displayed on the operationtouch panel 1 aa. FIG. 4A shows a screen for displaying multiple namesof groups (departments) such as planning, engineering and sales, inwhich a user opens a tag of a group that includes the user amongmultiple groups. As shown in the figure, a tag of each group has keysthat indicate names of persons belonging to the group, such as User Aand User B. When a user touches the key indicating its own name, themain controller 101 switches the menu screen to another screen shown inFIG. 4B. The personal name is included in user information together withthe later-described password.

[0043]FIG. 4B shows a screen for facilitating to enter a password. Themain controller 101 determines whether the entered password is a correctpassword that matches with the user name and, if yes, switches the menuscreen to another screen shown in FIG. 4C. The screen shown in FIG. 4Cis employed for facilitating to select a purpose of the use of thecomplex machine 1. The purposes include Data, Report and Application.After selection of the purpose, the main controller 101 then switchesthe menu screen to another screen shown in FIG. 4D that displays typesof documents to be created, such as Contract and Technical report.

[0044] After selection of the type of document in the screen shown inFIG. 4D, the main controller 101 displays contents selected in thescreens shown in FIGS. 4A through 4D. In addition, it switches the menuscreen to a screen (shown in FIG. 4E) for displaying functions of thecomplex machine 1 including copying and faxing. When a user confirms thecontent selected by the user itself from the displayed contents andselects a function to use, the menu screen is switched to an operationscreen of each function (FIG. 4F).

[0045] When the user, the function of the complex machine 1 to beemployed and the purpose to use the complex machine 1 are thus entered,the main controller 101 sets a log level of log information based on theentered information. That is, in the storage apparatus of the maincontroller 101, there are recorded passwords of multiple users, loglevels of log information of the complex machine 1 set in multi-stagesand corresponding relations between the passwords and the log levels.The log levels are set, for example, as follows.

[0046] Log level 1

[0047] Copier: Number of copies

[0048] Printer: Number of prints

[0049] Facsimile: Number of faxed pages, Destination, Date oftransmission

[0050] Log level 2

[0051] Copier: Number of copies, One-side/Both-sides,Enlargement/Reduction, Color/Monochrome

[0052] Printer: Number of prints, Enlargement/Reduction,Color/Monochrome

[0053] Facsimile: Number of faxed pages, Destination, Date oftransmission, Amount of transmitted data

[0054] Log level 3

[0055] Copier: Number of copies, One-side/Both-sides,Enlargement/Reduction, Color/Monochrome, Copied image (Compressed data)

[0056] Printer: Number of prints, Enlargement/Reduction,Color/Monochrome, Printed image (Compressed data)

[0057] Facsimile: Number of faxed pages, Destination, Date oftransmission, Amount of transmitted data,

[0058] Transmitted image (Compressed data)

[0059] The main controller 101 reads out the above log levelcorresponding to the user name and the password and sets it in thecomplex machine 1 to record log information on the complex machine 1 inaccordance with the log level thus set. According to the above firstembodiment, it is possible to alter the log level of log information pergroup that includes the user and to record the log information onlyrequired by each user or each group. Therefore, it is possible toeliminate the need for recording log information on a level not requiredby a user or a group and reliably ensure the required log informationwhile suppressing the data amount of log information to be recorded.

[0060]FIGS. 5 through 7 show control data for use in display of the menuscreens shown in FIGS. 4A through 4F.

[0061] The control information shown in FIGS. 5 through 7 has a dataformat that employs XML. The XML is described below.

[0062] XML (extensible Mark-up Language) is a language to impart astructure to a document and does not depend on a specific application.Through the use of the characteristic that a structure can be imparted,it is possible to describe a structure of data processed in programs.Therefore, the control information in this example utilizes XML in thedata format.

[0063] An XML document comprises an XML declaration, a document typedeclaration and an XML instance. The XML declaration is a part beginningfrom “xml” and designating a version and a graphic character code. Thedocument type declaration is not required to describe data and the XMLinstance is employed to describe the contents of the data.

[0064] The XML instance includes elements such as a start tag, contents,an ending tag and blank elements. It is required to employ the start tagto markup the start of an arbitrary XML element that is not a blankelement. It is required to employ the ending tag to markup the ending ofan element that begins from the start tag. The following additionalinformation may be imparted on elements depending on attributes.

[0065] <element name attribute name 1=“Attribute value 1” attribute name2=“Attribute value 2”>

[0066] One that can explicitly indicate a document element that has nolower element or no content is called a space element tag.

[0067] <element name (attribute designation)/>

[0068] For example, the following two expressions have the same effect.

[0069] <image file=“figl. jpg”/>

[0070] <image file=“figl. jpg”/></image>

[0071] An example of descriptions in control information shown in FIGS.5 through 7 will be described next. The control information containsscreen information, page information and user information and isconfigured in the form of a link of descriptions in the aboveinformation.

[0072]FIG. 5 shows descriptions in the control information, including aninitial part by XML, an initial screen in the display screen informationand a password entry screen. The screen information shown in FIG. 5describes information on basic layouts in the screens displayed on theoperation touch panel 1 aa. The basic layouts are each summarized by thescreen number. The user information designates the page number of ascreen to be displayed next. The page information designates the screennumber corresponding to the screen having the above page number. Themain controller 101 reads a part of the screen information correspondingto the designated screen number.

[0073]FIG. 6 shows a part of descriptions in the control information,including an initial screen in the page information, a password entryscreen and a first screen displayed to the user 1. The page informationshown in FIG. 6 describes information on each screen to be displayed. Itincludes key codes of frames, characters displayed in the frame, screennumbers indicating basic layouts to be employed. The information in thescreen to be displayed next, corresponding to the user information, isread out by the main controller 101 from a part of the page informationat the corresponding page number.

[0074]FIG. 7 shows a part of descriptions in combination of frame keycodes and the corresponding actions as the user information, includingan initial screen, a password entry screen and a first screen displayedto the user 1. Transition of screens can be controlled by the userinformation. Each user information additionally includes items to berecorded per user and page information.

[0075] In other words, the user information includes a combination ofactions for a page number used in each display screen (a designatednumber of page information to be used) and a frame key code in eachdisplay screen, and an item per user to be recorded as log informationat each display screen. When the user touches the frame in the screendisplayed on the operation touch panel 1 aa, the frame key code andaction are read out and, in accordance with the information read out,the next operation is determined.

[0076] As described above, the first embodiment describes an example, inwhich the log level is set based on the user information (password). Thepresent invention is not limited in such the first embodiment, however.Rather, the log level may be set in accordance with the application orthe engine in the complex machine 1 other than the user information.

[0077] The log item at the log level in accordance with the applicationmay be set, for example, as follows.

[0078] Copy

[0079] Log level 1: Number of copies

[0080] Log level 2: Number of copies, Enlargement/Reduction,Color/Monochrome

[0081] Log level 3: Number of copies, Enlargement/Reduction,Color/Monochrome, Copied image

[0082] Printer

[0083] Log level 1: Number of prints

[0084] Log level 2: Number of prints, Enlargement/Reduction,Color/Monochrome

[0085] Log level 3: Number of prints, Enlargement/Reduction,Color/Monochrome, Printed image

[0086] Facsimile

[0087] Log level 1: Number of faxed pages, Destination, Date oftransmission

[0088] Log level 2: Number of faxed pages, Destination, Date oftransmission, Amount of transmitted data

[0089] Log level 3: Number of faxed pages, Destination, Date oftransmission, Amount of transmitted data, Transmitted image

[0090] Otherwise, the log level (log item) may be automatically setaccording to the selection of the application as shown below.

[0091] Copy→log level 3

[0092] Print→log level 2

[0093] Facsimile→log level 1

[0094]FIG. 8 shows a part of descriptions for setting a key code of aframe indicating an application and the corresponding action (log level)in combination.

[0095] The log item at the log level in accordance with the engine maybe set, for example, as follows.

[0096] Scanner Engine

[0097] Log level 1: Number of scans

[0098] Log level 2: Number of scans, Scanning speed

[0099] Log level 3: Number of scans, Scanning speed, Read image

[0100] Plotter Engine

[0101] Log level 1: Number of output pages

[0102] Log level 2: Number of output pages, Time for output

[0103] Log level 3: Number of output pages, Time for output, Color ofused toner

[0104] Otherwise, the log level (log item) may be automatically setaccording to the selection of the engine as shown below.

[0105] Scanner engine→log level 3

[0106] Plotter engine→log level 2

[0107] The log levels of the present invention may be set in accordancewith operation modes (also noted as functions such asenlargement/reduction) of applications. The log levels may also be setin accordance with a combination of the above-described user informationand applications. FIG. 9 shows a part of descriptions for setting a keycode of a frame indicating an operational mode in an operation screen onthe complex machine 1 and an action (log level) corresponding to the keycode in combination. When the above FIGS. 5 through 8, FIGS. 5 through 7and 9 are sequentially linked, the control information can be formed.The control information described above is created in PC 2, thendownloaded in the complex machine 1 with ftp and the like via theInternet, and stored in the memory 102.

[0108] The basic procedures in the menu display processing andinformation recording (logging) performed in the complex machine 1 willbe described next with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10.

[0109] The main controller 101 retrieves the user information from theuser information in the control information for the name=“Initialscreen” (step S11). Then, from the description obtained by the retrievalat step S11, the main controller 101 reads the use page number (stepS12). In addition, from the description obtained by the retrieval atstep S11, the main controller 101 reads the instruction for logging anddetermine the information read out as the content of log information tobe collected (collection level) (step S13). If no instruction forlogging is present, a predetermined logging is performed.

[0110] The main controller 101 retrieves the description of the pagenumber readout at step S12 out of the page information in the controlinformation (step S14). It reads the use screen number out of thedescription of the page number obtained from the retrieval at step S14(step S15). The main controller 101 retrieves the description of the usescreen number read out at step S15 out of the screen information in thecontrol information (step S16).

[0111] The main controller 101 creates a menu display screen from thecorresponding descriptions in the page information and screeninformation obtained from the retrievals at step S14 and step S16 todisplay it on the operation touch panel 1 aa (step S17). When the userenters (touches) the frame in the operation touch panel 1 aa, thecorresponding key code is read out from the user information. In thiscase, the main controller 101 creates a process table, which containsinformation on which programs (programs previously stored in the complexmachine) to perform and of which of processes by the entered key code(step S18).

[0112] The main controller 101 determines whether the user has employedthe operation touch panel 1 aa to enter the key code (step S19). If theuser has not employed the operation touch panel 1 aa to enter the keycode (step S19: NO), a standby mode works to wait for an entry. If theuser has entered (step S19: YES), it logs the entry operation performedby the user (step S20). It selects the action corresponding to theentered frame key code from the user information (step S21) and returnsto step S12 for repeating the same processes based on the selectedaction (user information).

[0113] Operations of the menu display and logging process to be executedin the complex machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11through 13. FIGS. 11 through 13 are flowcharts which show operations inthe menu display process and logging process and exemplify an operationwhen the user 1 employs the complex machine 1 for the purpose ofcreating Data. The control information is assumed to include thecontents shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The operations of the menudisplay process and logging process have bases to repeat theabove-described basic procedures shown in FIG. 10 per display screen.Therefore, operation steps or operation contents common with theabove-described basic procedures shown in FIG. 10 are omitted todescribe in detail.

[0114] The main controller 101 reads the control information stored inthe memory 102. Then, it retrieves user information for thename=“Initial screen” from plural user information (step S31) and readsthe whole corresponding user information (step S32). The main controller101 determines whether or not the key code is entered (step S33). If thekey code is not entered (step S33: No), it waits for an entry. If thekey code is entered (step S33: Yes), it creates a process tablecorresponding to the entered key code (step S34).

[0115] The main controller 101 fetches the use page number from theattributes given to the corresponding user information (step S35). Itretrieves the page information having the corresponding page number(step S36) and reads the whole corresponding page information (stepS37). The main controller 101 fetches the use screen number from theattributes given to the corresponding page information (step S38). Then,it retrieves the screen information having the corresponding screennumber (step S39), reads the whole corresponding screen information(step S40) and displays a frame based on the whole frame information inthe screen information (step S41). It further displays characters withinthe frame based on the whole frame information in the page information(step S42). Through the above processes, the initial screen is displayedon the operation touch panel 1 aa. After the display of the initialscreen, the main controller 101 proceeds to a standby mode to wait foranother entry from the user (step S43).

[0116] When the user enters in the frame of “User 1”, a key code=“2”corresponding to “User 1” is returned. Therefore, the main controller101 retrieves the process table created at step S34 and determines theuser to transit next (step S44). In this case, as the action is “To keycode user”, the user information transits to “User 1” (step S45). Itretrieves the user information for the name=“User 1” from the userinformation (step S46) and reads the whole corresponding userinformation (step S47). A standby mode works to wait for a key codeentry (step S48). If the key code is entered, it creates a process tablecorresponding to the entered key code (step S49).

[0117] The main controller 101 fetches the use page number from theattributes given to the corresponding user information (step S50). Then,it reads an instruction for logging from the attributes given to thecorresponding user information to determine an operation of logging. Ifno instruction for logging is present, a predetermined logging isperformed (step S51). Next, the main controller 101 retrieves the pageinformation having the corresponding page number (step S52) and readsthe whole corresponding page information (step S53). Then, it fetchesthe use screen number from the attributes given to the correspondingpage information (step S54), retrieves the screen information having thecorresponding screen number (step S55), and reads the wholecorresponding screen information (step S56). It further displays a framebased on the whole frame information in the screen information (stepS57). The main controller 101 displays characters within the frame basedon the whole frame information in the page information (step S58).Through the above processes, the password entry screen is displayed

[0118] The main controller 101 proceeds to a standby mode to wait for anentry from the user (step S59). If the user enters a password andtouches on a frame of “OK”, the main controller 101 logs the inputoperation from the user (entered content) (step S60). When a keycode=“6” corresponding to “OK” is returned, it retrieves the processtable created at step S49 to determine the user to transit next (stepS61). Referencing to the user information, as the action is “To user1-1”, the user information to be read transits to “User 1-1” (step S62).

[0119] The main controller 101 retrieves the user information for thename=“User 1-1” from the user information (step S63). It reads the wholecorresponding user information (step S64), and proceeds to a standbymode to wait for a key code entry (step S65). If the key code isentered, it creates a process table corresponding to the entered keycode (step S66).

[0120] The main controller 101 then fetches the use page number from theattributes given to the corresponding user information (step S67) andretrieves the page information having the corresponding page number(step S68) Further, it reads the whole corresponding page information(step S69). Then, it fetches the use screen number from the attributesgiven to the corresponding page information (step S70). The maincontroller 101 retrieves the screen information having the correspondingscreen number (step S71). It then reads the whole corresponding screeninformation (step S72) and displays a frame based on the whole frameinformation in the screen information (step S73). It further displayscharacters within the frame based on the whole frame information in thepage information (step S74). Through the above processes, the useselection screen is displayed.

[0121] The main controller 101 proceeds to a standby mode to wait for anentry from the user (step S75). If the user touches on the part of“Data”, it logs the input operation from the user (step S76). When a keycode=“2” corresponding to “Data” is returned, therefore, it retrievesthe process table created to determine the user to transit next (stepS77). Here, referencing to the user information, as the action is “Touser 1-2”, the user information to be read transits to “User 1-2” (stepS78).

[0122] The present invention is not limited in the above-described caseof acquiring the user information through the operation screen 1 a.Alternatively, it may be applied to acquiring the user information fromPC 2 or any other PCs over the network through the communication section103 or communication unit which connect the complex machine 1 toexternal information devices.

[0123] When the user information is entered from a PC, the maincontroller 101 in the digital computer 100 converts a signal generatedfrom the keys of the keyboard or mouse of the PC into a key code toexecute the same process as is noted in FIGS. 10 through 13. It convertsthe signal entered from the PC, which converted signal is employed toidentify the user information. A menu screen is created in accordancewith the attribute of the user information and transmitted to the PC viaa network. The transmitted menu screen is displayed on the displayscreen in the PC and employed by the user to select the use, documentand application along the menu screen.

[0124] The information selected by the user is transmitted to thedigital computer 100, which records log information on the complexmachine 1, instructed by the user, at a log level in accordance with theuser information.

[0125] A process executed in the PC for entering the user informationwill be described next. FIG. 14 is a flowchart which explains theprocess performed by an arbitrary PC when the digital computer 100acquires the user information from the PC over a network.

[0126] To manipulate the complex machine 1 from the PC, the user selectsthe group that contains the user itself from the menu screen displayedon the display screen, and subsequently selects the name of the useritself from the tag, using the mouse or keyboard. The PC determineswhether the name of the user is selected (step S91) and, if the name ofthe user is not selected (step S91: No), waits for its selection.

[0127] If the name of the user is selected (step S91: Yes), the PC thendetermines whether the password is entered by the user (step S92). Ifthe password is entered (step S92: Yes), it transmits the enteredpassword to the digital computer 100 (step S93). Based on the responsefrom the digital computer 100, it determines whether the transmittedpassword is coincident with the name of the group or user selected bythe user (step S94). As a result of the determination, if the passwordis not coincident (step S94: No), it displays an error indication on thedisplay screen to show a mismatch of the password (step S1).

[0128] To the contrary, if the password is coincident (step S94: Yes),it receives information for creating a menu screen from the digitalcomputer 100 to display the menu screen on the display screen. The userenters the use of the complex machine 1 and the type of document to becreated in the menu screen. The PC transmits the entered information onthe use and document to the digital computer 100 (step S95). Similarly,it transmits information on the application selected by the user (stepS96).

[0129] After completion of the above processes, the digital computer 100sends information for creating an operation screen for the selectedapplication. This information is employed to display the operationscreen for the application on the display screen in the PC. The PC sendsthe operational condition for the complex machine 1 designated throughthe operation screen by the user to the digital computer 100 to set theoperational condition in the complex machine 1 (step S97).

[0130] As described above, even when the PC sends the user informationto the digital computer 100 via the network to set the log level, thedigital computer 100 sets a log level in accordance with the userinformation and records log information at the set log level.

[0131] As described in the first embodiment, the present invention isnot limited in the case of setting the log level in accordance with theuser information, application and engine. For example, without enteringthe user information such as the password, the user may enter the levelto be stored in the main controller 101 and select the level using theoperation screen 1 a.

[0132] The user information is not limited in the password. Any otherinformation may also be employed so long as it can specify the user orthe group that contains the user, such as an employee number and an IDcode.

[0133] A second embodiment of the present invention will be describednext. The second embodiment is a system for recording information onoperations. There is provided the digital computer of the firstembodiment equipped with the unit which transmits the log information tothe outside, and a manager which manages multiple image formationapparatus connected over a network. The manager includes a receivingunit which receives the transmitted log information via the network.

[0134]FIG. 15 is a block diagram which shows a network arrangement inthe system for recording information on operations according to thesecond embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the system for recordinginformation on operations according to the second embodiment comprises amanagement server 720 and plural sets of complex machines 701 and 770,which are connected via a public network 760. The complex machines 701and 770 have different assignments of IP addresses or URIs.

[0135] The management server 720 is connected to a remote centralmanager 730 via a network such as the Ethernet 740. In the secondembodiment, either of the management server 720 and the remote centralmanager 730 serves as a manager. The complex machines 701 and 770 havethe same arrangement as that of the complex machine 1 of the firstembodiment. In addition, each of the complex machines 701 and 770includes the digital computer 100 of the first embodiment mountedthereon. The digital computer 100 is employed to transmit and receivethe log information between the managers via the network. In the secondembodiment, the log information is transmitted and received on the basisof SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol).

[0136] The complex machine 701 comprises a SOAP listener 212 and a SOAPproxy 211 in a NCS 128. The SOAP listener 212 is employed to receive aSOAP request message for requesting a processed result from a PC 700,the other complex machine 770 and the management server 720, analyze thecontents and transmit a process request to a CCS 129. The SOAP proxy 211is employed to create a SOAP response message including the processedresult data from an authentication/availability-restricted state file221, an account file 223 and a log file 224 and return it to thedestination that sent the SOAP request message. Such the complex machine701 also has a function as a SOAP server.

[0137] As described above, the second embodiment is configured tocreate, transmit and receive the log information based on SOAP.Therefore, it is possible to transmit and receive information onprocessed results based on the standard specification among a largenumber of indefinite complex machines, PCs and management servers overthe network. Accordingly, the information on the processed resultcreated by a single complex machine 1 can be easily utilized at anylocations over the network for desired uses.

[0138] A multi-channel communication control unit 750, connected to themanagement server 720, is connected to the public network 760 and, viacommunication controllers 710 and connected to plural sets of thecomplex machines 701 and 770. The complex machines 701 and 770 areconnected to the PC 700 that serves as a printer client via a networksuch as the Ethernet® 780. This PC 700 is also equipped with a SOAPlistener and a SOAP proxy (both not shown) to realize data interchangeon SOAP.

[0139] The communication controllers 710 are connected to facsimiledevices and general telephones at clients. When the facsimile devicesand general telephones are not employed (lines are idling), they cancommunicate data (off-talk communication type) between the multi-channelcommunication control unit 750 and the communication controllers 710 viathe public network 760.

[0140] The management server 720, employed to configure the manager ofthe present invention, collects processed result data from the multiplecomplex machines 701 and 770 as SOAP response messages and sends them tothe remote central manager 730 via a LAN 208. It is connected to thepublic network 760 via a multi-channel communication control unit (CCU)209. The management server 720 has the same arrangement as that of ageneral computer such as a workstation. It is equipped with a SOAP proxy721 and a SOAP listener 722 to realize data interchange on SOAP as shownin FIG. 7.

[0141] The SOAP proxy 721 is employed to create a SOAP request messagefor requesting a processed result and transmit it to the complex machine701. The SOAP listener 722 on the other hand is employed to receive aSOAP response message containing the processed result data from thecomplex machine 701, analyze the content and transmit it to the remotecentral manager 730.

[0142] The remote central manager 730 is employed to receive the resultdata, processed at the multiple complex machines 701 and collected bythe management server 720, via the Ethernet® 740 to integrally managethem.

[0143] The processes executed in the above-described system forrecording information on operations will be described with reference toa flowchart shown in FIG. 16. In this system for recording informationon operations, a PC on the system is employed to initially activate alog information reading process (step S81). After activation, the loginformation reading process reserves an area on a shared memory (stepS82).

[0144] When a candidate process is activated (step S83), the loginformation reading process generates a software interrupt to thecandidate process and sends a signal to the candidate process from thelog information reading process (step S84). A log information writingprocess in the software-interrupted candidate process writes the loginformation in the shared memory.

[0145] The area of the shared memory is limited. Therefore, after thewhole area is completely employed, it is required to return to the startpoint of the area for further writing.

[0146] At the time when the candidate process transfers the loginformation to the shared memory, it checks if a free space is remainedin the shared memory by an amount sufficient to transfer the information(step S85). If the space is present, the candidate process transfers thelog information and sends a transfer ending signal to the loginformation reading process (step S86). When the log information readingprocess receives a reading request signal or a transfer ending signalfrom the log information writing process in the candidate process, itreads communication contents (log information) from the shared memory(step S87), and transfers the read-out communication contents to the PCvia the network.

[0147] When the candidate process checks if a free space is remained inthe shared memory by an amount sufficient to transfer the loginformation and finds that the free space is not sufficient, it sends areading request signal to the log information reading process (stepS88). Then, the candidate process interrupts the transfer process untilit receives from the log information reading process a write enablesignal indicating that the shared memory is completely empty.

[0148] On receipt of the reading request signal from the log informationtransfer process (the candidate process), the log information readingprocess promptly reads out the whole content stored in the shared memoryand transfers it to the PC via the network. After completion of thetransfer, it sends a write enable signal to the candidate process (stepS89).

[0149] The complex machines and PCs, though they are connected via theInternet as described in the second embodiment, may be connected viaother networks or wired/wireless lines so long as they arecommunicatively connected.

[0150] The control information of the present invention may be createdwhen the user enters XML language into a PC using the keyboard or mouseof the PC. Software for creating control information may be preparedseparately. This software operates to automatically create the XMLcontrol information when the user enters the minimum designated itemsfrom the PC.

[0151] In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, thecontrol information is described to have a format that employs XML butit is not limited to this and other formats may be employed so long asthe complex machine can read their languages.

[0152] The complex machines of the first and second embodiments maycontain a CD-ROM drive to provide a function for rewriting operationprograms. If the function for rewriting operation programs is provided,the operations of the first and second embodiments can be executedsimply with programs. The complex machine may include a HDD as thememory. If the complex machine includes the HDD, it is desired that theHDD in the PC has a larger storage capacity than the HDD in the complexmachine. This is effective to prevent the HDD in the PC from lacking inthe remaining storage capacity for the log information sent from thecomplex machine.

[0153] The above-described embodiments are preferred embodiments of thepresent invention and may be varied within the scope of the presentinvention.

[0154] As obvious from the forgoing explanations, according to oneaspect of the invention, there are extracted operations to be recordedfrom operations executed by the operation execution unit on the basis oflog levels stepwise indicative of contents in the operations andrecorded the historical information on the extracted operations.Therefore, it is possible to efficiently log with reliable storing ofrequired information without influence on various operations, such asstoring, imparted from an excessive massive amount of data.

[0155] According to another aspect of the invention, information onoperations may be transmitted to the manager. Therefore it is possibleto efficiently log with reliable storing of required information withoutinfluence of various operations, such storing, imparted from anexcessive massive amount of data.

[0156] The present document incorporates by reference the entirecontents of Japanese priority documents, 2001-215929 filed in Japan onJul. 16, 2001 and 2002-201183 filed in Japan on Jul. 10, 2002.

[0157] Although the invention has been described with respect to aspecific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appendedclaims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodyingall modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to oneskilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching hereinset forth.

What is claimed is:
 1. A digital computer, comprising: an operationexecution unit which operates in accordance with instruction informationfor instructing operations; and a historical information recording unitwhich extracts operations to be recorded from operations executed by theoperation execution unit on the basis of log levels stepwise indicativeof contents in the operations executed by the operation execution unitand records historical information on the extracted operations.
 2. Thedigital computer according to claim 1, further comprising a log levelstorage unit which stores the log levels and log items to be recorded inassociation with the log levels, wherein the historical informationrecording unit extracts operations to be recorded from operationsexecuted by the operation execution unit on the basis of the log itemscorresponding to the log levels and records historical information onthe extracted operations.
 3. The digital computer according to claim 2,further comprising a log level selection unit which selects a log levelfrom plural log levels on the basis of the instruction information,wherein the historical information recording unit extracts operations tobe recorded from operations executed by the operation execution unit onthe basis of a log item corresponding to the log level selected by thelog level selection unit and records historical information on theextracted operations.
 4. The digital computer according to claim 3,wherein the operation execution unit includes at least one engine, thelog level selection unit selects a log level on the basis of an engineemployed in an operation executed by the operation execution unit, andthe historical information recording unit extracts operations to berecorded from operations executed by the operation execution unit on thebasis of a log item corresponding to the log level selected by the loglevel selection unit and records historical information on the extractedoperations.
 5. The digital computer according to claim 4, wherein theengine is at least one of a plotter engine for use in printingoperations and a scanner engine for use in image reading operations, andthe log level selection unit selects a different log level in accordancewith one of the plotter engine and the scanner engine.
 6. The digitalcomputer according to claim 5, wherein the engine is the plotter engine,and the log items are information on output operations of the plotterengine.
 7. The digital computer according to claim 6, wherein theinformation on output operations contains information on one or more ofthe number of drafts output by the plotter engine, a time required foroutput and a color of used toner.
 8. The digital computer according toclaim 5, wherein the engine is the scanner engine, and the log items areinformation on operations for reading images by the scanner engine. 9.The digital computer according to claim 8, wherein the information onoperations for reading images contains information on one or more of thenumber of scans, a scanning speed and a read image.
 10. The digitalcomputer according to claim 3, wherein the operation execution unitincludes at least one application, the log level selection unit selectsa log level on the basis of information on an application for use inoperations executed by the operation execution unit, and the historicalinformation recording unit extracts operations to be recorded fromoperations executed by the operation execution unit on the basis of alog item corresponding to the log level selected by the log levelselection unit and records historical information on the extractedoperations.
 11. The digital computer according to claim 10, wherein theapplication includes one or more of a copy application for executingcopying in an image formation apparatus, a print application forexecuting printing, a scan application for executing image reading and afacsimile application for executing facsimile, and the log levelselection unit selects a different log level in accordance with the copyapplication, the print application and the facsimile application. 12.The digital computer according to claim 11, wherein the application isthe copy application, and the log items are information on copyoperations executed by the copy application.
 13. The digital computeraccording to claim 12, wherein the information on copy operationscontains information on one or more of the number of copies,presence/absence of variable magnification of images andmonochromic/color images.
 14. The digital computer according to claim11, wherein the application is the print application, and the log itemsare information on print operations executed by the print application.15. The digital computer according to claim 14, wherein the informationon print operations contains information on one or more of the number ofprints, presence/absence of variable magnification of images andmonochromic/color images.
 16. The digital computer according to claim11, wherein the application is the facsimile application, and the logitems are information on facsimile operations executed by the facsimileapplication.
 17. The digital computer according to claim 16, wherein theinformation on facsimile operations contains information on one or moreof the number of faxed pages, destinations of facsimile, dates oftransmission and amounts of transmitted data.
 18. The digital computeraccording to claim 3, wherein the instruction information includes userinformation on a user who entered the instruction information, the loglevel selection unit selects a log level on the basis of the userinformation, and the historical information recording unit extractsoperations to be recorded from operations executed by the operationexecution unit on the basis of a log item corresponding to the log levelselected by the log level selection unit and records historicalinformation on the extracted operations.
 19. The digital computeraccording to claim 18, wherein there are a plurality of users, and theusers are divided into at least one group, the log level selection unitselects a log level on the basis of a group that contains the user whoentered the instruction information.
 20. The digital computer accordingto claim 2, wherein the instruction information includes levelinformation for indicating log levels stored in the log level storageunit, and the historical information recording unit extracts operationsto be recorded from operations executed by the operation execution uniton the basis of a log item corresponding to the level information andrecords historical information on the extracted operations.
 21. Thedigital computer according to claim 1, further comprising a manipulationunit which manipulates the operation execution unit, wherein themanipulation unit includes an input unit which enters the instructioninformation.
 22. The digital computer according to claim 1, furthercomprising an input unit which receives the instruction information viaa communication unit from external information devices.
 23. The digitalcomputer according to claim 22, wherein the communication unit utilizesthe Internet.
 24. The digital computer according to claim 22, whereinthe communication unit utilizes local area network.
 25. A system forrecording information on operations, comprising: a plurality of digitalcomputers, each including an operation execution unit which operates inaccordance with instruction information for instructing operations; alog level storage unit which stores log levels of operations executed bythe operation execution unit and log items corresponding to the loglevels; and a historical information recording unit which extractsoperations to be recorded from operations executed by the operationexecution unit on the basis of the log items corresponding to the loglevels among historical information on operations executed by theoperation execution unit and records historical information on theextracted operations; and at least one manager including a receivingunit which receives information transmitted from the multiple digitalcomputers; and a recording unit which records the received information.26. The system according to claim 25, wherein the manager includes amanagement server for collecting information transmitted from themultiple digital computers.
 27. The system according to claim 25,wherein the manager includes a remote central manager which integrallymanages the information collected by the management server.
 28. Thesystem according to claim 25, wherein the digital computer includes atransmitting unit which transmits information on the basis of simpleobject access protocol, and the receiving unit receives information onthe basis of simple object access protocol.
 29. The system according toclaim 28, wherein the digital computer includes a transmitting unitwhich includes a simple object access protocol proxy, and the receivingunit includes a simple object access protocol listener.
 30. The systemaccording to claim 25, wherein the digital computers are connected tothe manager via the Internet.
 31. The system according to claim 25,wherein the digital computers are connected to the manager via wire orwireless.
 32. The system according to claim 25, wherein the digitalcomputers transmit information in an extensible markup language formatto the manager.